Inflatable flotation device



May 12, 1936. D. MAPES 2,040,616

INFLATABLE FLOTATION DEVICE 4 Filed April a, 1933 4 sheets-sheet I INVENTOR DA ma 1. M A PE 6 ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 D. MAPES INFLATABLE FLOTATION DEVICE Filed April 8, 1933 May 12, 1936.

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INFLATABLE FLOTATION DEVICE Filed April 8, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. .5

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INFLATABLE FLOTATION DEVICE Filed April 8, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 v INVENTOR DAN/EL MAPEa ATTORNEY Patented May 12,

PATENT OFFICE INFIATABLE FIDTATION DEVICE Daniel Mapes, Upper Montclair, N. J., assignor to Walter Kidde & Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 8, 1933, Serial No. 665,090

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to inflatable flotation devices of the general type now extensively employed as marinelife-saving devices, and is equally adapted to for use with life-vests or .belts for individual use, life-boats or rafts for the use of one or more persons, and so called flotation bags such as are now extensively used for.preventing the sinking of aeroplanes not otherwise equipped to float when forced to descend upon a body of water.-

More specifically the invention relates to inflatable flotation devices of the type comprising a plurality of individual compartments inflated by air or other gas, for example, carbon dioxide stored under pressure.

Inflatable flotation devices of the type in use prior to the present invention and of the construction embodying a plurality of inflatable compartments, have either been provided with individual compartments supplied by separate sources of inflating medium or have been pro-- vided with intercommunicating compartments supplied from a single source of inflating medium.

The disadvantages of the first type of construction are at once ap arent since the compartments, being indivi ally inflatable,'cannot be arranged for simultaneous release of the separate sources of inflating medium without more or less complicated control apparatus; and since the duplication of the sources of inflating medium is both cumbersome and unecoriomical.

With reference to the second type of construction having intercommunicating compartments supplied from a single source of inflating medium, wherein the admission of inflating medium to one compartment will cause the medium to flow to all of the compartments, the undesirable feature is that, in the event of an accident causing puncturing and deflation of one compartment, the remaining compartments will be immediately deflated, thus rendering the flotation device useless. I It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an inflatable flotation device, such as a life-vest or belt, a life-boat or raft. ora flotation bag, or the like, having a plurality of inflatable compartments which are not in intercommunication but which are nevertheless adapted for simultaneous inflation. It is a further object of the invention to provide a flotation device of the type mentioned in which each of the separate compartments may be simultaneously inflated by pressure medium fromasingle pressure medium storage container.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a pressure medium distributing manifold arranged to receive pressure medium from a source thereof and distribute it to a plurality of compartments and also arranged to prevent both reverse flow of the pressure medium from the compartments to the manifold and flow between the compartments.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a structural embodiment thereof. which is particularly adapted for use with lif e-boats or liferafts. T

It is still another object of the invention to provide another structural embodiment thereof which is particularly adapt/3d for use with lifevests or life-belts.

These and other objects of the invention not specifically enumerated above will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

wherein: 5

Figure 1 is a plan view of a life-boat or raft embodying the present )invention, and showing the manner of assembly of the pressure medium container and the distributing manifold.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the life-boat taken on line 2-2 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing upper and lower inflatable compartments.

Figure 3 is 'a considerably enlarged view, partially in section, showing the pressure medium container connected to a distributing manifold in accordance with the invention.

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the distributing manifold of Figure 3 showing the manner in which the separate compartments of the boat can be deflated.

Figure 5 is an outside end view of one of th manifold caps as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of a life-vest embodying the present invention, and showing the manner of assembly of the pressure medium container and the distributing manifold.

Figure 'l is a somewhat enlarged view, partially in section, showing the pressure medium container and certain features of construction'of a distributing manifold in accordance with the in- I vention. v

Figures is a still further enlarged cross-sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 7, and showing the pressure medium container and other features of construction of the distributing manifold of Figure 7.

Referring flrst of allto Figures 1 and 2, the reference numeral I represents the inflatable rim of an inflatable life-boat, the. rim being provided 55 with individually but simultaneously inflatable upper and lower compartments 2 and 8, respectively, this arrangement of compartments enabling the boat to retain its original shape in the 5 event that either one or the other of the compartments ispunctured and deflated. The bottom of the boat is represented at 4, the oar-locks at I, and the seats at 6, the seats being separately inflatable, in the construction shown, through suitable connections I. At 8 is shown a pressure medium storage container suitably secured to the raft structure and provided with pressure medium release means 9. The release means is connected to a distributing manifold III which is connected by flanges I I and H with the upper and lower inflatable compartments 2 and 3, respectively.

Referring now to Figure 3, it will be seen that the distributing manifold III has been swung around to'a position at right angles to its position in Figure 1, so as tomore clearly show its relationship to the pressure medium container in a single view, .In Figure 3, the pressure medium release means is shown comprising a body memher 8, a bonnet l3, and a bonnet coupling mem- 2 5 ber 14, The body member 8 is provided with a passage l5, fitted at one end with'a syphon tube I6 and normally closed atthe other end by a frangible disc l1 and a sealing gasket l8 carried by a thimble l8 and held against a seat 20 at the end 39 of the passage l5 through the medium of a screw-threaded engagement of the thimble I8 with the body member 9. For the purpose of releasing the pressure medium from the container 8, disc rupturing means is provided in the form of a 3i hollow tubular cutter 2.l formed ona spindle 22 "having a screw-threaded engagement 'with the bonnet l8. 7 The hollow tubular cutter is shown provided with ports for permitting the passage of the pressure medium from the interior of the p -cutter tothe outlet passage 23 when the cutter been forced through the frangible disc 11. The bonnet I8 is provided with a packing nut 24, a packing washer 26, and packing 26 for prevent ing the leakage of pressure medium .past the ,5; spindle. A metal to metal joint is 'sufll'cient for sealing the bonnet 18 to the body member 8. The outlet 3| is shown provided with a special recoil preventing tip 32' arranged to provide a balanced discharged the pressure medium if the medium lieshould be discharged when no conducting means is connected to the outlet, said recoil preventing tip forming no part of the present invention. The pressure medium release means assembly is completed by an operating handwheel 21 sealed 55 'to 9. lug 28 on the body member 8 by a standard sealing wire 29 and lead seal )8. Of course, the syphon tube I6 is employed only with pressure jmediums such as carbon dioxide stored in liquid orm.

Still referring to Figure 3, the I distributing manifold 10 is shown as an'elongated member having a longitudinal passage 33 and a side outlet 34 located intermediate the ends of the manifold. As shown, the side outlet 34 'is connected to the '65 outlet ii of the pressure medium release means by anipple 86 and a coupling member. Each end of the passage 83 terminates in'an enlarged chamber 81 of the manifold and is provided with a valve seat 88. As both en of the manifold are 70, 91 the same construction, nly one end will be referred to as the descript roceeds. Each chamber 81 is closed by a bonnet 88 by meansof.

the outer. end surface of the manifold. The bonnet I6 is provided with a bore 4| and a valve seat 42, the purpose of which will presently be seen; The seat I8 at the end of the passage 38 is adapted to be engaged by a valve member comprising a tubular member 43 enlarged on its inner diameter at one end to hold securely a rigid disc 44 and a sealing gasket 45,, preferably of soft rubber. The valve is kept normally seated, by means of a coiled spring 46 bearing at one end on the disc 44 and at the other end on a valve member 41, which in turn engages the seat 42. The valve member 41 is preferably formed with a soft rubber seat, similarv to the soft rubber sealing gasket 46. The valve member 41 is provided on one side with a projection 48 for guiding the spring-46, and on the other side with a hollow extension 49 provided with openings 60. The internal surface of the bonnet 38 is adapted for screw-threaded engagement with a plug bonnet 5|, which latter carries a soft rubber gasket 62 adapted to ,eflect a gas-tight joint with the outer end of the bonnet 89. Wings 68 are provided to facilitate making a hand-tight gas-tight joint. g I

The left-hand end of the plug bonnet 6| is provided witha projection 64 terminating in three prongs 66, the purpose of which will be described in connection with Figure 4. Each end of the manifold III is provided with a side outlet passage 66 communicating with the chamber 31 between the valve seats 88 and 42. Encompassing each side outlet passage 56 is an enlarged flange II (or l2) for securing the manifold to the wall of-the life-boat, one end of the manifold being secured as shown to the wall of the life-boat on each side of the dividing partition-61 between the upper and lower compartments 2 and 2, respectively. It is, of course, to be understood that the inflatable compartments of the life-boat are made of rubberized fabric andthe connection to the wall of the boat is preferably made by securing the fabric between the flange H (or I2) and a companion flange 58 by means of screws 68 passing through the flange II (or I2) and the .fabric and engaging theflange 68. Of course,

each side outlet passage 66 communicates with one. I of the compartments 2 and I by means of a passage 68 passing clear through the flanges and the fabric wall of the life-boat.

With the construction as thus far described, when the handwheel 21 is turned to break the sealing wire 28, the cutter 2| ruptures the frangible disc I! and-permits the pressure medium to escape from the container 8 through the ports in the wall of the cutter through the outlet passage 28 and the nipple 35 to the passage 86 in the manifold l8. Here the flow divides, and the pressure of the medium raises the spring seated valve members at the ends of the passage" against the carefully balanced resistances of the coiled springs 46, whereupon the medium flows through the passages 66 and 68 to the respective inflatable compartments 2 and I. The inflatable compartments 2 and 8 have. of course, a considerably larger volume than the pressure medium container 8. The pressure medium therefore expands and fllls the compartments at a suitable pressure considerably lower than that originally contained in the container 8. However, as soon as the expansion has been com-- pleted and the pressure has been equalised throughout the system, the spring seated valve members at the ends of the passage 38 close un-' der the influence of the coiled springs 46 and isolate the inflated compartments from the conpartments from a single source of inflating me- 39 to the atmosphere.

dium; in addition to which the dangers of intercommunicating avoided.

When it becomes necessary to deflate the compartments, either totally, when the boat is to be .stored away, or partially, when it is desired to relieve any excess pressure which has developed, the plug bonnets 5i are unscrewed and removed and the prongs thereof are inserted within the bonnets 39 to engage the hollow extensions 49 on the valve members 41. By pressing on the thus reversed plug bonnets 9|, the valve members 41 are unseated, thus permitting the pressure medium to flow from the inflatable compartmentsthrough the passages 90 and 56 and -the openings 59 in the hollow extensions 49 of the valve members 41 out through the bonnets Of course, each compartment may be deflated separately. Figure 4 illustrates the subject-matter just described, the right-hand end of Figure 4 showing the plug bonnet 5! just entering into engagement with the hollow extension 49 while the valve member 41 is still seated, and the left-hand end showing the other valve member 41 unseated.

If, on the other hand it is desired to further inflate the compartments, for example, to compensate for leakage of the inflating medium from the compartments, either plug bonnet 5| may be removed and a hand operated air pump, for

example, may be connected in place of the plug bonnet, whereby air may be forced into a compartment through a valve member 41.

Figure 5 is, of course, a view of the plug bonnet 9| looking at it from the side on which the prongs 55 are provided.

The above, therefore, completes the description of the present invention as applied to a life-boat.

Referring now to Figure 6, which shows an iinflatable life-vest embodying the present invention, the reference numeral 6| represents a complete inflatable life-vest ready for use. Of course, the invention may be adapted to any form of life-preserver, but the description is here concerned with a construction in the form of a life-vest. Still referring to Figure 6, the vest is constructed with two or more individually but simultaneously inflatable compartments 82, 63, the compartments being preferably symmetrically arranged to encircle the wearer's neck, so that there will always be an equal buoyant effect on either side of the wearer regardless of the number of compartments inflated or the degree of inflation.

At 94 is shown a pressure medium storage con.- tainersuitably secured to the vest structure and connected by means of a coupling member to a distributing manifold 96 which in turn is connected by fittings 61 and 98 and branch conneccompartments have been tions 89 and 19 with the inflatable compartments 2 and 99, respectively.

In Figure 8, the pressure medium release means is shown comprising the, coupling member 88, which is secured within the mouth of the container 84, the coupling member being provided with a passage ll communicating at one end with the interior of the container and normally closed at the other end by a frangible 1 hearing at one end in a recess I8 in the thimble 14 and at the other end on a head 19 of the cutter 15, outward movement of the cuttenbeing limited by a washer 89 secured against an internal shoulder of the coupling member 65 by means of a ring-shaped member 8| having a screw-threaded engagement with the coupling member 65. A

v thin disc.92 of some easily fracturable material,

such as bakelite, is secured between the washer 89 and the ring-shaped member 8|, the purpose of the disc 82 being to protect the cutter I5 against the corrosive effect of external media and against the intrusion of foreign. matter which might tendto clog the passage I6. In order to control the flow of the pressure medium from the container 64, the passage 18 in the cutter is made of a predetermined size, and the cutter 18 itself is arranged for a close-working fit on its external surface with the bore 83 in thethimble 14. The means for actuating the cutter 15 to cause it to rupture the frangible disc and permit the escape of the pressure medium will be described in connection with the assembly of the distributing manifold 68, in which this means is mounted.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the distributing manifold 89 comprises both means for distributing the pressure medium to the inflatable compartments of the vest and means for actuating the pressure medium release means. The latter means comprises a pointed striking pin 94 guided within a bore 85 of a member 86, which is threaded within the end of the manifold which is secured to the coupling member 95 by interengaging screw threads. The striking pin 84 is provided with a head 91 adapted to be engaged by a cam member 88 secured on one end of a shaft 89 which is jour'naled within cooperating bushings 99 and 9|, of which the bushing 99-passes through a wall of the distributing manifold 66. Packing 92 held between the bushings and 9| prevents leakage of the pressure medium past the shaft 89. Secured to the outer end of the shaft 89 is a lever 93 provided with anoperating pull' 94. The cam member 88is normally maintained in its non-operated position by engagement with a groove 95 of the cam member of a catch button 98 guided within a recessed extension 91 of the manifold and maintained in contact with the cam member by means of a coiled spring 98. With the construction as thus described, when the pull handle 94 is operated, the cam member 89 rotates against the yielding engagement of the catch butfracturable disc 82 into engagement with the head 60 screw the empty container from the coupling 65 10 of the cutter I5, whereby the cutter is driven through the frangible disc I2, opening a passage for the pressure medium from the.container 04 through the passages I I, 03 and 16, through openings 99 in the member- 86 to the receiving chamber I of the distributing manifold, whence the medium discharges into the inflatable compartments 02 and 03 of the vest through the branch check valves IOI is not shown in detail, as, in thev present instance, they are ordinary commercial pneumatic tire air valves; and it is sufficient to 1 note that the check valves permit flow of the pressure medium to the inflatable compartments,

but prevent a re'verseflow of the pressure medium from the inflatable compartments to the receiving chamber, at the same time preventing intercommunication of the inflatable compartments,

' the inflatable. compartments I52 and 63 through which, in the event of the puncturing and deflation of one of the compartments, would cause deflation of the remaining compartment,

Referring again to Figure 6, the reference numerals I02 and I03 represent tubes connected to connections I04 and I05, through which tubes the inflation of the compartments of the vest may be maintained despite leakage of the inflating medium from the compartments. For this purpose the ends of the tubes I02 and I03 are arranged near the neck-piece of the vest, so that they may easily be inserted in the mouth of a wearer for inflation by air from the wearers lungs. Of course, if there is suflicient time to inflate the vest before the wearer must take to the water, the vest compartments may be completely inflated through these tubes without operating the pressure medium container, so that the pressure medium may be reserved for a future more serious emergency, such as when "the wearer is thrown into the water without having time to inflate the vest, in which case a pull on the operating pull will effect rapid inflation of the vest.

The tubes I02 and I03 also serve to deflate the vest when it has served its purpose, the deflation being effected by loosening the stoppers at the ends of the tubes.

At the time when the vest is deflated it is well' to replace the empty pressure medium container 64 with a i'ully charged container. In order to accomplish this, all that is necessary is to unnnd replace it by a charged container, as the container and its release means comprise a replaceable unit. Care should be taken, however, that the cam 80 has been returned to its normal position of engagement by the spring pressed catch button 00, so that it will not cause release of the pressure medium during the replacement process.

In completion of the description of the lifevest, it should be noted that the leak-proof flttings 01 and 68 each comprises a flanged thimble I00 threaded internally I and externally, the threaded portion being passed through an opening in one of the fabric walls ofthe life-vest. A soft rubber gasket I01, interposed between the fitting also includes bein adapted flange of the thimble I00 and the fabric wall, is compressed into gas-tight relationship with the flange and wall by means of a threaded ring I00 engaging'the external threads of the thimble and bearing on a washer I00 which serves as a bearing plate for the threaded ring I00 permitting the latter to turn in a manner which would be impossible if the ring were in direct contact with the fabric wall of the vest. The assembly of the a sealing gasket IIO for insuring a gas-tight joint between the thimble I00 and the end-piece III of the branch connection I0 (or 69) which end-piece engages the internal threads of the thimble I06.

From the foregoing descriptions it will be seen that I have provided inflatable flotation devices which incorporate theobjects set out at the beginning and which will be recognized to constitute a decided improvement over prior devices of this character. It will also be seen from the diversity of illustration that the principles of construction of the present invention are broadly applicable to various types of inflatable flotation devices; so that, while the invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, I do not wish'it to be limited save as deflned in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An inflatable flotation device comprising a unitary structure having a plurality of. separate inflatable compartments to be inflated with a fluid medium, and distributing means for delivering the fluid medium thereto, the last named means comprising a chambered body member, means to secure the body member to the unitary structure, separate fluid conducting passages connecting each compartment with the body member, means in the body member associated with each said passage to prevent a reverse flow of the fluid medium from the separate compartments to the body member, a port in each said passage for connecting each said passage with the atmosphere at a point'between its respective compartment and its reverse flow preventing means, means normally closing each said port,

, and means toopen each said last named means for the purpose either of discharging fluid medium from the compartments to the atmosphere or of fluid m'ediumthereto, said body member to receive fluid medium for initial substantially simultaneous distribution to the separate compartments.

2. An inflatable flotation device comprising a adding unitary structure having a plurality of separate inflatable compartments to be inflated with a fluid medium,- and distributing means for delivering the fluid medium thereto, the last named means comprising a body member having an inlet passage adapted to receive a fluid medium for initial substantially simultaneous distribution to the separate compartments, means to secure the body member to the unitary structure, a plurality of distribution passages communicating with said inlet passage, each of said distribution'passages terminating in an enlarged chamber of the body member'and being formed with a valve seat within.its respective chamber, means also formed with a valve seat extending within each said enlarged chamber and provided with a lengthwise passage, a fluid outlet passage connecting each inflatable compartment with one of the enlarged chambers at a point intermediate the aforesaid gaging each of the first named valve seats for preventing fluid flow from an inflatable compartment through the respective distribution passage back to the inlet passage but permitting flow from the inlet passage to the compartment, and a spring seated valve normally engaging each of the second named valve seats for normally preventing flow from an inflatable compartment to the respective lengthwise passage but adapted to be unseated through the lengthwise passage to permit flow from the compartment to the lengthwise passage when desired.

, 3. An inflatable flotation device comprising a unitary structure having two separate inflatable.

compartments to be inflated with a fluid medium, and distributing means for delivering the fluid medium thereto, the last named means comprising an elongated body member having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough and terminating in an enlarged chamber of the body member adjacent each end thereof, said longitudinal passage being formed at each end with a valve seat within the respective chambers, means also formed with a valve seat extending within each said enlarged chamber and provided with a lengthwise passage, a fluid outlet passage connecting each inflatable compartment with one of the enlarged chambers at a point intermediate the aforesaid valve seats, a spring seated valve normally engaging each of the first named valve seats for preventing fluid flow from an inflatable compartment to the longitudinal passage but permitting flow from the longitudinal passage to the compartment, a spring seated valve normally engaging each of the second named valve seats for normally preventing flow from an inflatable compartment to the respective lengthwise passage but adapted to be unseated through the lengthwise passage to permit flow from the compartment to, the lengthwise passage when first named valve seats for receiving a fluid medium for initial substantially simultaneous distribution to the separate compartments through the flrst named valve seats.

4. An inflatable flotation device comprising a unitary structure having a plurality of separate inflatable compartments to be inflated with a fluid medium, and distributing means for delivering the fluid medium thereto, the last named means comprising a body member having an inlet passage adapted' to receive a fluid medium for initial substantially simultaneous distribution to a fluid outlet passage connecting each inflatable compartment with one of the enlarged chambers at a point intermediate the aforesaid valve seats, a springseated valve normally engaging each of the first named valve seats for preventing fluid flow from an inflatable compartment through the respective distribution passage back to the inlet passage but perml ting'flow from the inlet valve; name we or the second sum valve seats for-normally preventing flow inflatable compartment to, the respectivel'ongthwisebut adapted tobe unseated througlr the lengthwise e to permit flow from the compartment to the lengthwise passage when desired, and bonnet members formed on one face with extensions adapted for screw-threaded engagement with the aforesaid lengthwise passages to close the same against communication with the atmosphere, and being formed on the other face with extensions adapted, by disengagement of the bonnet members and reversal thereof, to effect unseating of the second named spring seated valves to permit flow from the inflatable compartments to the atmosphere through the aforesaid lengthwise passages.

5. An inflatable flotation device comprising a unitary-structure having a plurality of separate inflatable compartments to be inflated with a fluid medium, and distributing means for delivering the fluid'medium thereto, the last named meanscomprising a body member having an in let passage adapted to receive a fluid medium for initial substantially simultaneous distribution to terminating in an enlarged chamber of the body member and being formed with a valve seat within its respective chamber, means also formed with a valve seat extending within each said enlarged chamber and provided with a lengthwise passage, a fluid outlet ,passage connecting each inflatable compartment with one of the enlarged chambers ata point intermediate the aforesaid valve seats, a spring seated valve normally engaging each of the first named valve seats for preventing fluid flow from an inflatable com partment through the respective distributionpassage back to the inlet passage but permitting flow from the inlet passage to the compartment, and a valve seated by the same spring which seats a first named spring seated valve for normally preventing flow from an inflatable compartment to the respective lengthwise passage but adapted to be unseated through the lengthwise passage to permit flow from the compartment to the lengthwise passage when desired.

6. A collapsible life-boat comprising an inflatable tubular rim member, a bottom forming member, means dividing the tubular rim member into a plurality of inflatable compartments, a source of inflating medium, a discharge chamber mounted on the wall of the tubular rim member so as to lie within the boat when inflated, means to release the inflating medium from said source into said discharge chamber, fluid conducting passages connecting said compartments to said discharge chamber, automaticallyv operable means associated with each fluid conducting passage to prevent flow of the inflating medium from the compartments to the discharge chamber, a port in each said passage connecting each said passage with the atmosphere at a point between its respective compartment and associated automaticaliy'operable means, means associated with each said port normally preventing flow of the inflating medium to the atmosphere, and means operable from within the boat to render the last named means inoperative.

7. A collapsible life-boat comprising an inflatable tubular rim member, a bottom forming member, means dividing the tubular rim member into. a plurality of inflatable compartments, a source of inflatingmedium, a discharge chamber mounted on the wall of the tubular rim member so as to lie within the boat when inflated, means to release the inflating medium from said source into said discharge chamber, fluid conducting es connecting said compartments to said discharge chamber, automatically operable means associated with each fluid conducting passage to prevent flow of the inflating medium from the compartments to the discharge chamber, a port in each said passage connecting each said passage with the atmosphere at a point between its respective compartment and associated automati- I cally operable means, and means associated with each said port normally preventing flow of the inflating mediumto the atmosphere, said last named means being operable to open said ports.

8. An inflatable flotation device comprising a unitary structure having a plurality of separate inflatable compartments to be inflated with a fluid medium, and distributing means for delivering a fluid medium thereto, the last named means comprising a chambered body member, means to secure the body member to the unitary structure,

separate .fluid conducting passages connecting each compartment with the body member, means in the body member associated with each said passage to prevent flow of the-fluid medium from the separate compartments to the body member,

fluid medium, and distributing means for delivering a fluid medium thereto, the last named means comprising a chambered body member, means to secure the body member to the unitary structure, separate fluid conducting passages connecting each compartment with the body member, means in the body member associated with. each said passage to prevent flow ot the fluid medium from the separate compartments to the body member, said body member being adapted to receive a fluid medium for distribution to the separate compartments, a port in each said passage connecting each said passage with the atmosphere at a point between its respective compartment and associated flow preventing means, and means,

associated with each said port normally preventing communication oi the compartments with the atmosphere, said last named means being operable to open said port.

10. A fluid distributing manifold for a plurality of compartments comprising a chambered body member, a plurality oi outlet passages leadina therefrom, each adapted to be connected to a separate compartment, means in the body member associated with each said outlet passage to prevent flow of fluid from the separate compartments to the body member, said body member being adapted to receive a fluid medium for distribution to the separate compartments, 9. port in each said outlet passage connecting each said outlet passage with the atmosphere at a point between its point of connection to its respective means, and means associated with each said port normally preventing communication of the compartments with the atmosphere, said last named means being operable to open said ports.

DANIEL MAPES.

compartment and its associated flow preventing 

